In my book, "Foamer" is a derrogatory term for those who are so over the top they make a bad name for the rest of us "normal" railfans and present a danger to themselves and others. I don't really have a problem with foamers who have mental illnesses such as autism, ect., since they can't help it for the most part, and as long as they are supervised (if need be) so as not to become a danger when around active railroad environments.
Many railroad employees I know don't mind us "buffs/railfans/enthusiasts" (whichever you call yourself), as we tend to mind our own businuess and stay out of the way so they can do their job. My problem and theirs are with the "foamers" who are willing to do anything to get that picture, including tresspass, break and enter, and more, but should know better.
The foamers we all hate are the ones who will actually threaten employees, groups/museums, and others because they did something they don't like, or were told they were tresspassing. I've seen foamers put on Hi-vis vests and walk around active yards and railroad lines thinking it's okay. Their excuse? "I know everything there is to know about trains, I know what I'm doing"
I know a railroad employee who lost his job, and from there, his home because a foamer took a picture of him dismounting a locomotive in the wrong way and reported him. This has happened to many others, sadly.
These people (foamers) are downright dangerous to themselves and others, and on top of it are downright annoying and embaressing to the rest of us; espeacially when they talk everything about trains to anyone in earshot, as if they even understand what they're talking about. Classically, I see the family of four trying to enjoy themselves and get away from him, obviously walking away while he chases after them to share his next "fact". No wonder "normal" people and railroaders think ALL of us are like that.
I was visiting IRM this past summer, where you can go up a set of steps to look into the cab and talk with the crew;and one guy was just going off on the crew about how they should paint it this way and that way, and the marker light were in the wrong place, and (I'm quoting him here) "That's not how the Frisco fired their locmotives, you're doing it wrong! Don't bother firing if you can't do it right!" Then, to my disbelief, he asked for a cab ride, and told them to #^&$ themselves when told "no". I went up to the crew, saying "We're not all like that you know, us guys on the ground taking pictures, we volunteer where we can and respect you for what you do" The fireman smiled and said "We know, if we thought there was no such thing as a decent railfan out there, we would have sold this thing for scrap and left long ago, we're here for the decent people like you."
We've all seen the kind of people I've described above around various places, and I (rightfully) have a disdain for them. They should know better, but they still go out and do this kind of stuff. If you're widely considered a "foamer" or "one of those guys" by other people, you've really done something wrong to earn that title.
In the micro-brew, beer geek and craft beer world there are people that will be at an event at a brewery and then take the brewer to task in a manner similar to this: "Why didn't you use more finishing hops?" "Why don't you make a pale ale with a little wheat?" and so forth. Always a somewhat critical opinion that the person trying to have a viable business just has to answer. The proper response should be, "Why don't you open your own damned brewery?" I see similarities to the foamer.
Another is when at a classic car show, someone will nitpick a car and find all kinds of things that are not "original." This happens at shows all the time which is one reason that I don't put my cars in shows anymore. One guy kept on about the additional gauges on the dashboard that were installed who knows when. "No, they aren't original but so what?" He said, "well that just isn't right." I asked him if he owned a car like mine. He said no. I said, "why not peddle your papers?" Everyone around cracked up.
Semper Vaporo"Slight Tap On Pedal"
But, I totally paused... (from the movie "Clueless")
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Semper Vaporo I was out and about the other day and noted someone that seems to have retroactively assigned an acronym to the word printed in big white letters on those big red octagonal street signs at intersections... seems the word means: "Slight Tap On Pedal" The fool seemed to trust that I had good reaction time, which fortunately for him, I just barely did.
I was out and about the other day and noted someone that seems to have retroactively assigned an acronym to the word printed in big white letters on those big red octagonal street signs at intersections... seems the word means:
"Slight Tap On Pedal"
The fool seemed to trust that I had good reaction time, which fortunately for him, I just barely did.
I was told once it meant, "State Trooper On Patrol".
Jeff
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
Semper Vaporo People hear a word they don't know and assign a meaning that sort of fits their concept of what was being said, or because it sounds like some other word they sort'a know. Or just because they feel like it.
Reminds me of a former co-worker who never used a nickle word if a malaprop quarter word might sound more important. When they asked me to "initialize" my time card, I was often tempted to ask for an eraser...
zugmann Of all my years on the railroad - the only times I've heard someone use the term "foamer" , the person using the term was a railfan/foamer themselves. The term isn't used much by the 'regular' non-railfan employees around here at least. And I've never seen the full spelled-put acronym that was described here. I think someone made that up after the fact in an effort to take offense. What do the cool people call it now? Being triggered?
Of all my years on the railroad - the only times I've heard someone use the term "foamer" , the person using the term was a railfan/foamer themselves. The term isn't used much by the 'regular' non-railfan employees around here at least.
And I've never seen the full spelled-put acronym that was described here. I think someone made that up after the fact in an effort to take offense. What do the cool people call it now? Being triggered?
Years ago I read that "foam" has applied to railfans meant "far out and mental". That's why I rarely use the term, reserving it for the few bad apples in railfandom that make the rest look bad.
My coworkers use foamer for all railfans. (Well, maybe not when someone has brought their child or grandchild down to see a train go by.) FRN used to be used, but foamer seems to have become the more favored term.
Most of my co-workers know I'm a railfan. Some have asked me if I'm a foamer. They haven't heard the far out and mental thing, rather thinking the general version of someone be so excited that they are foaming at the mouth when they see a train. I tell them that I'll admit to being a FRN but not a foamer and then tell them the rest.
Languages change... mainly due to ignorance. People hear a word they don't know and assign a meaning that sort of fits their concept of what was being said, or because it sounds like some other word they sort'a know. Or just because they feel like it.
I can think of dozens of words that have changed over my life-time and I have to be careful of my use of some of them.
Refer to the "Gay Nineties" and you have to specify whether you are referring to the "carefree 1890's" or the "homosexual revolution of the 1990's".
"Bad" for a while meant "Good" [Michael Jackson's song, "I'm Bad, I'm Bad"]
Charlton Heston got in trouble for using the word "Niggardly" in a speech, but the word means "Stingy" and has no racial overtones, other than the 1st 2 syllables.
The ignorant and insensitive people that use the word “Foamer” in reference to Autism probably never heard the word used in reference to fans of Trains.
I can certainly take offense at the use of ANY word if I want to put my mind to changing it to an acronym… or I can accept it as a compliment if I decide on a different set of words to make it an acronym. Free, Open And Merry Excellent Railfan. Fine Observer And Minister of Ecumenical Railroading. Financer Of Antique Master Egg Rollers. Before you complain that my “Acronymising” the word FOAMER… I don’t see my choices as any stupider than those mentioned above in reference to Autism.
ACRONYM = A Coded Rendition Of Names Yielding Meaning.
Or make it plural!
ACRONYMS = A Coded Rendition Of Names Yielding Meaning, Sometimes..
geomodelrailroader [posted dec6,2016 @0239am] A railfan is someone who likes trains and photographs them also has a collection of memorabilia books and models. Foamer is an acronymic insult used by those in the industry and other railfan to hate young railfan to start a fight. Foamer stands for (expletive) Overreactive Arrogant Mentally Retarded Eccentric Railfans and both words are extremely bad it should never be said and should never be used in any vocabulary.
A railfan is someone who likes trains and photographs them also has a collection of memorabilia books and models. Foamer is an acronymic insult used by those in the industry and other railfan to hate young railfan to start a fight. Foamer stands for (expletive) Overreactive Arrogant Mentally Retarded Eccentric Railfans and both words are extremely bad it should never be said and should never be used in any vocabulary.
"Posted by geomodelrailroader on Tuesday, December 06, 2016 2:34 AM
The word Foamer is an insult to people who have Autism. F stands for an expletive we can not say, O stands for Overreactive, A stands for Arrogant, M is for Mentally Retarded, E is for Eccentric, and R is for Railfans. It is a bad word and it should not be in anyone's vocabulary. The acronym is as bad as the word and nobody should say it ever.
I noticed the above two post on this Thread on the afternoon of Dec 7. I had read them and decided that the poster was was probably suffering from a case of over-sensitivity caused by insomnia.. I had decided not to to add anything, but after some thought I could not let it go without a comment.
Autism (ASDA spectrum disorder ) is a very problematic condition, with many manifestations and diagnoses; it is not to be made light of. It is one of those conditions that has gained more and more publicity, over the last few years. If interested here's a link to start with@ http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm
I would question as to motivation, why someone would go back to a thread that has content from May of2009 to current. Then try and start a confrontation on a subject of 'Foaming' that has its roots going back a number of years in this railfan hobby. Anyone monitoring thses Forums and Magazine content since 2011 would have a pretty good idea as to the implied meanings, as well as, the definitions of the term 'foamer'.
Go back and re-read this Thread and its posts. Your question is answered pretty well all the way back to the original post. The if you want to set up a strawman and troll. I would advise that you go for it, and look for some psychological counciling for yourself as well.
Around here I've always heared it as a statement of endearment and self-mocking. As with most things, what it important is how it is said, not what is said.
I have heard railroaders on the radio refer to "FRN"s, where R=Rail and N=Nut, and the F word is best not typed out. But that might be limited to specific areas. The term "foamers" seems to be used mostly by railfans, referring to the very enthusiastic but rather naive segment of the community. As sometimes at a steam special, "foam was thick on the ground".
Johnny
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
And I gotta say - that's the first time I've ever seen that description - even as long as this thread ran while active.
The foam most people associate with "foamer" is either that which occurs in the boiler, or that which drips from the mouth of the "rabid" railfan at the sight of a train.
geomodelrailroaderThe word Foamer is an insult to people who have Autism. F stands for an expletive we can not say, O stands for Overreactive, A stands for Arrogant, M is for Mentally Retarded, E is for Eccentric, and R is for Railfans. It is a bad word and it should not be in anyone's vocabulary. The acronym is as bad as the word and nobody should say it ever.
The world needs to grow a pair in their Big Boy pants. Because you breathe, someone, somewhere thinks you shouldn't.
The English language (and all other languages) have context as a part of their ability to communicate. Words used in one context precipitate a war and in another context can facilitate peace. The word is not the offender, it is the context the word is used in that does the trick. Witness the current Insurance Company TV ad with the teen age girl and early middle age 'businessman' - they are saying the very same words, but communicating diametrically opposed thoughts.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
The term "foamer" predates current autism awareness by many years. Many, many years.
While I sympathize with those dealing with autism, this is clearly over the top over-sensitivity. What's next? Can't refer to the white sudsy stuff on top of my adult beverage as "foam?"
It's all about context.
Remember - Judas is a name. "You Judas" is a biblical epithet.
Actually, I am just here for the pictures....
I don't know what I would be classified as. Knowing the technical details of the various locomotives and such kind of takes a back seat to just "being there". Back when I as growing up, my dad was an avid rail fan. We had a train room in the basement, his Lionel trains covered one wall, we had an HO layout in the room as well, along with all kinds of railroad memorabilia, and even a crossbuck mounted on the wall at the bottom of the basement stairs. On weekends, especially during the summer, my dad would takes us boys (5 of us) out to the tracks (Bryn Mawr up near O'Hare, Elmhurst, Bensenville, Franklin Park, etc.) to just sit and watch some trains go by. My grandparents lived in Brookfield, about 3 blocks south of the Burlington Northern, so, on any given Sunday when we were visiting, my brothers and I would be hanging out at the Brookfield station, watching trains. In addition, starting the summer after 5th grade, you could find my friend and I hanging out along the ICG main that ran through Hillside (Freeport Sub, I believe)
The thrill, if you will, for me, has always been just the watching. I took up photography of trains about 20 years ago, and I enjoy it quite a bit. It has to do with the solitude interrupted by a passing train, and then more solitude. I remember thinking how great it was to be along the tracks waiting for a train, and seeing the headlight in the distance, and the anticipation that came from it.
As far as the difference between "foamer" and "railfan" goes, I have met many of both stripes, and I will avoid a foamer at all costs. They tend to be loud, obnoxious, and boorish. In fact, I was out shooting one day a few years ago, out at Rochelle, and got cursed out by some individual in a pair over coveralls and engineer's hat, that was festooned with "fallen flag" buttons, and pins, because I wasn't taking "proper roster shots".... whatever the heck those are.
Every hobby attracts people who are into it at different levels.
Around here, as a side note, an obnoxious fire buff is known as a "yahoo".
The member formerly known as "TimChgo9"
rfpjohn As locomotives age, do the headlights become ditch lights?
As locomotives age, do the headlights become ditch lights?
No, but they do drop from above the windshield down to the low hood....
zugmann Semper VaporoAnd I know of no railfan that needs scantily clad young women jumping up and down in front of them to keep their interest up in what is happening on the rails. (The likes of which basketball and football fans do.) Why don't we have that again?
Semper VaporoAnd I know of no railfan that needs scantily clad young women jumping up and down in front of them to keep their interest up in what is happening on the rails. (The likes of which basketball and football fans do.)
Why don't we have that again?
Something like this ? (Note: Not my blog, website, or photo - been around quite a few years, too . . . ):
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k1HsPh3JxiU/S0p4sgYCDTI/AAAAAAAADTM/u66EzItHTWo/s400/women-maidenform.jpg
- Paul North.
BaltACDWith Class lights no less!!!!!
Even better - it's a bona fide movie star, having appeared in the movie "Atomic Train." (I'm not sure that one even stopped at video...)
Ulrich tree68 Semper VaporoAnd I know of no railfan that needs scantily clad young women jumping up and down in front of them to keep their interest up in what is happening on the rails. (The likes of which basketball and football fans do.) Doesn't hurt, though... Backstory - during a railfan event last year, this group of musicians (?) shows up. They're apparently shooting a music video and thought this would be a good spot. I have no idea where to look for it, though... Is that an Alco? Oh my GOD...OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
tree68 Semper VaporoAnd I know of no railfan that needs scantily clad young women jumping up and down in front of them to keep their interest up in what is happening on the rails. (The likes of which basketball and football fans do.) Doesn't hurt, though... Backstory - during a railfan event last year, this group of musicians (?) shows up. They're apparently shooting a music video and thought this would be a good spot. I have no idea where to look for it, though...
Doesn't hurt, though...
Backstory - during a railfan event last year, this group of musicians (?) shows up. They're apparently shooting a music video and thought this would be a good spot. I have no idea where to look for it, though...
Is that an Alco? Oh my GOD...OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
With Class lights no less!!!!!
tree68 carnej1 I'm a Railfan, this guy is a Foamer: http://youtu.be/qMcNp3BajtA PS. I actually think he's faking it for comedic effect.... Yep - he is/was the manager there. Totally for effect...
carnej1 I'm a Railfan, this guy is a Foamer: http://youtu.be/qMcNp3BajtA PS. I actually think he's faking it for comedic effect....
I'm a Railfan, this guy is a Foamer:
http://youtu.be/qMcNp3BajtA
PS. I actually think he's faking it for comedic effect....
Yep - he is/was the manager there. Totally for effect...
That guy is hilarious...
Semper Vaporo I've said it before and I'll say it again... Railfans may sometimes have small pins representing their favouite RR, or aspect of RR'ing, on their hats, but I have yet to see one paint their faces with greasepaint in the livery of a RR or wear a "cheese hat" or some other outlandish outward showing of their devotion to some aspect of RR'ing. (The way some Footballer's do.) I have yet to see one wearing a multi-color "rainbow" wig and clown outfit sitting at a grade crossing trying to influence the employees they are watching into making some particular move. (Like I see the dork trying to influence a pitcher at Baseball games on TV.) And I know of no railfan that needs scantily clad young women jumping up and down in front of them to keep their interest up in what is happening on the rails. (The likes of which basketball and football fans do.) As a "sport", train watching is rather self sustaining and not in need of artificially engendered excitement.
I've said it before and I'll say it again...
Railfans may sometimes have small pins representing their favouite RR, or aspect of RR'ing, on their hats, but I have yet to see one paint their faces with greasepaint in the livery of a RR or wear a "cheese hat" or some other outlandish outward showing of their devotion to some aspect of RR'ing. (The way some Footballer's do.)
I have yet to see one wearing a multi-color "rainbow" wig and clown outfit sitting at a grade crossing trying to influence the employees they are watching into making some particular move. (Like I see the dork trying to influence a pitcher at Baseball games on TV.)
And I know of no railfan that needs scantily clad young women jumping up and down in front of them to keep their interest up in what is happening on the rails. (The likes of which basketball and football fans do.)
As a "sport", train watching is rather self sustaining and not in need of artificially engendered excitement.
Very well put. Thanks. I had a blast today catching a CSX run North up the Callahan Sub from Baldwin. I unexpectedly had the chance to pace it... Then catch it again at another crossing around MP17ish. Video can be found on my YouTube Channel Gracebeliever077. But I was like a little kid almost on that 17MP catch. I was heading to St. George, GA for some Norfolk Southern action and lucked up. It was a blast. I think I am still wiping a little foam off my sleeve. LOL.
"Uh... sorry, remind me as to WHY one would have any need or desire to "look for it"?"
There is a engine in it, Duh!
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
tree68 Semper VaporoUh... sorry, remind me as to WHY one would have any need or desire to "look for it"? Masochist? Or maybe you like blue hair?
Semper VaporoUh... sorry, remind me as to WHY one would have any need or desire to "look for it"?
Masochist? Or maybe you like blue hair?
Blue Hair and South Florida go together!
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.